A Wigner Function Approach to Coherence in a Talbot-Lau Interferometer (Postprint)

Abstract

Using a thermal gas, we model the signal of a trapped interferometer. This interferometer uses two short laser pulses, separated by time T,which act as a phase grating for the matter waves. Near time 2T, there is an echo in the clouds density due to the Talbot-Lau effect. Ourmodel uses the Wigner function approach and includes a weak residual harmonic trap. The analysis shows that the residual potential limitsthe interferometers visibility, shifts the echo time of the interferometer, and alters its time dependence. Loss of visibility can be mitigatedby optimizing the initial trap frequency just before the interferometer cycle begins.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 22, 2016
Accession Number
AD1075043

Entities

People

  • Eric A Imhof
  • James Stickney
  • Matthew B Squires

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Curvature
  • Electromagnetic Radiation
  • Equations
  • Frequency
  • Interferometers
  • Laser Beams
  • Laser Pulses
  • Lasers
  • Military Research
  • Optical Lattices
  • Residuals
  • Standing Waves
  • Time Dependence
  • Visibility

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Chemistry (specifically Chemical Fluorescence)
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy